Cape sleeve

ABSTRACT

A protective garment having first and second cape sleeves is provided, wherein the first cape sleeve is a mirror image of the second cape sleeve. Each cape sleeve includes a first half-chest portion and a second half-chest portion. A sleeve is integral to the chest portions. A first half-closure is disposed on the first half-chest portion and a second half closure is disposed on the second half-chest portion. The first cape sleeve is fastenable to the second cape sleeve to assemble the garment, wherein the first half closure on the first half-chest portion of the first cape sleeve is fastened to the second half closure on the second half chest portion of the second cape sleeve, and the second half closure on the second half-chest portion of the first cape sleeve is fastened to the first half closure on the first half chest portion on the second cape sleeve.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to protective garments. More specifically, the present invention is directed to protective garments that protect the arms of a user from cuts and the like.

Standard cape sleeves have been around for over one hundred years and are have often been used in the welding industry. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,388,234 (Abel) is directed to a welder's protective cape with sleeves with a front closure and no rear closure. U.S. Pat. No. 2,389,152 (Keeler et al.) is directed to a protection garment in the form of a cape sleeve for welders having a chest portion with front chest snap fasteners.

Typically, these cape sleeves have a front snap opening and solid back. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,320,783 (Lee) which is directed to a convertible jacket having a front closure and removable skirt for hunting. U.S. Pat. No. 5,101,511 (Elverskog) is directed to a sleeveless protective jacket having a front closure for use when chain sawing. U.S. Pat. No. 5,210,878 (Triche) is directed to a welder's protective garment in the form of a cape sleeve for the protection of the upper and lower arm of a person such as a welder. The garment has a front closure with fasteners.

See also, U.S. Pat. No. 5,023,953 (Bettcher), which is directed to a garment and protective sleeve having separable snap on sleeves. The body of the garment is a single piece (i.e., no front or back closures).

In the cut resistant market, the industry has typically used protective sleeves which are held up on the arm with an elastic band or Velcro closure. A drawback of these sleeves is that they may continually slide down or be pushed down by the user exposing the upper arm to possible lacerations. Because of this problem, cut resistant sleeves have come in multiple arm widths and lengths in order to properly fit a work force.

In recent years the auto industry has implemented the use of cape sleeves made out of cut resistant fabric in order to protect workers by eliminating the problems associated with cut resistant sleeves:

-   -   the need for multiple arm widths     -   sleeves that are sliding down or being pushed down

Drawbacks of typical cape sleeves on the mark include the fact that once the front is worn through, the cape sleeve must be replaced. Additionally, from a safety standpoint, if the user should get any part of the garment caught in moving machinery, it is very difficult to exit the garment quickly.

It would be beneficial to provide a cape sleeve that overcomes these drawbacks.

All references cited herein are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cape sleeve of the present invention consists of a single sleeve with a male closure on one side and female closure on the other (or equivalent). For example, if using hook and loop closures, the hook portion of the fastener is on one side of the garment (e.g., the front) and the loop portion of the fastener is on the other side of the garment (e.g., the rear). By using this construction, the cape sleeve of the present invention is constructed out of two identical sleeves.

Some benefits of the configuration of the present invention include the following:

-   -   only one sleeve design is needed;     -   a left or right sleeve can be replaced one at a time, where a         solid cape sleeve would have to be completely replaced, thereby         saving costs;     -   standard sleeves with different lengths and different widths can         be replaced with a single sleeve;     -   the sleeves may be constructed to be reversible so that both         sides of the garment can be worn instead of just the front;     -   the double (i.e., front and rear) closures allow the user a         quick exit if any part of the sleeves should get caught in         moving equipment.

The protective garment of the present invention includes comprising a first cape sleeve and a second cape sleeve. The first cape sleeve is a mirror image of the second cape sleeve. Each of the first cape sleeve and the second cape sleeve includes a first half-chest portion having a sleeve side and a chest side and a second half-chest portion having a sleeve side and a chest side. The second half-chest portion and first half-chest portion are integral to one another. A sleeve is integral to the first half-chest portion and the second half chest portion. A first half-closure is disposed on the first half-chest portion on its chest side and a second half closure is disposed on the second half-chest portion on its chest side. The first cape sleeve is fastenable to the second cape sleeve to assemble the garment, wherein the first half closure on the first half-chest portion of the first cape sleeve is fastened to the second half closure on the second half chest portion of the second cape sleeve, and the second half closure on the second half-chest portion of the first cape sleeve is fastened to the first half closure on the first half chest portion on the second cape sleeve.

The first half closure may be a hook portion of a hook and loop fastener and the second half closure may be a loop portion of a hook and loop fastener. Alternatively, the first half closure may be a male portion of a snap fastener and the second half closure may be a female portion of a snap fastener. The first cape sleeve and the second cape sleeve may be reversible.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described in conjunction with the following drawings in which like reference numerals designate like elements and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a cape sleeve in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, shown prior to being placed on a user;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the cape sleeve of FIG. 1, shown subsequent to being placed on a user;

FIG. 3A is a front view of the cape sleeve of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3B is a front view of a cape sleeve in accordance with an alternate exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of the cape sleeve of FIG. 3A, taken substantially through its front and rear fasteners; and

FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of the cape sleeve of FIG. 3B, taken substantially through its front and rear fasteners.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention will be illustrated in more detail with reference to the following embodiments, but it should be understood that the present invention is not deemed to be limited thereto.

Referring now to the drawing figures, wherein like reference numbers refer to like elements throughout the several views, there is shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3A and 3B, a protective garment 10 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The protective garment 10 includes a first cape sleeve 12 and a second cape sleeve 14, where the first cape sleeve 12 is a mirror image of the second cape sleeve 14.

Each of the first and second cape sleeves 12, 14 include a first half-chest portion 16 having a sleeve side 18 and a chest side 20, and a second half-chest portion 22 having a sleeve side 24 and a chest side 26. The second half-chest portion 22 and first half-chest portion 16 are integral to one another (either seamless or seamed at the shoulder 28).

A sleeve 30 is integral to the each first half-chest portion 16 and the second half chest portion 22 of each of the first and second cape sleeves 12, 14. The entire cut resistant garment 10 may be cut resistant, or the just the sleeves 30. The sleeves 30 may be constructed of the same or different fabric as the first chest portion 16 and the second chest portion 22.

A first half-closure 32 is disposed on the first half-chest portion 16 and a second half closure 34 is disposed on the second half-chest portion 22. The first cape sleeve 12 is fastenable to the second cape sleeve 14 to assemble the protective garment 10. The first half closure 32 on the first half-chest portion 16 of the first cape sleeve 12 is fastened to the second half closure 34 on the second half chest portion 22 of the second cape sleeve 14. The second half closure 34 on the second half-chest portion 22 of the first cape sleeve 12 is fastened first half closure 32 on the first half chest portion 16 the second cape sleeve 14.

As best seen in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the first half closure 32 and the second half closure 34 are matable and may be any type of appropriate fastener, as known in the art and as commonly used for garments. For example, the first half closure 32 may be is a hook portion 36 of a hook and loop fastener and the second half closure 34 may be a loop portion 38 of a hook and loop fastener. See FIG. 4B. The first half closure 32 may be a male portion 40 of a snap fastener and the second half closure 34 may be a female portion 42 of a snap fastener. See FIG. 4A.

One notable benefit is that the first cape sleeve 12 and the second cape sleeve 14 may be configured to be reversible so that both sides of the protective garment 10 can be worn instead of just the front. Additionally, the present protective garment allows for just one of the cape sleeves 12, 14 to be replaced if damaged.

While the invention has been described in detail and with reference to specific examples thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. 

1. A cut resistant protective garment comprising a first cape sleeve and a second cape sleeve, each of said first cape sleeve and said second cape sleeve comprising: (a) a first half-chest portion having a sleeve side and a chest side; (b) a second half-chest portion having a sleeve side and a chest side, the second half-chest portion and first half-chest portion integral to one another; (c) a cut resistant sleeve integral to the first half-chest portion and the second half chest portion; (d) a first half-closure disposed on the first half-chest portion on its chest side; (e) a second half closure disposed on the second half-chest portion on its chest side; wherein the first half closure receives the second half closure; wherein the first cape sleeve is identical to the second cape sleeve; the first cape sleeve fastenable to the second cape sleeve to assemble the garment, wherein the first half closure on the first half-chest portion of the first cape sleeve is fastened to the second half closure on the second half chest portion of the second cape sleeve, and the second half closure on the second half-chest portion of the first cape sleeve is fastened to the first half closure on the first half chest portion on the second cape sleeve.
 2. The protective garment of claim 1, wherein the first half closure is a hook portion of a hook and loop fastener and the second half closure is a loop portion of a hook and loop fastener.
 3. The protective garment of claim 1, wherein the first half closure is a male portion of a snap fastener and the second half closure is a female portion of a snap fastener.
 4. The protective garment of claim 1, wherein each of said first cape sleeve and said second cape sleeve is reversible. 